But their latest triumph feels extra special given it came against a superb Leinster side, the defending champions who travelled to Newcastle seeking to become the first side to claim five European titles.

We assess six key areas which paved the way to Saracens being crowed European champions for the third time.

Saracens celebrate their third European crown at St James' Park

Unrivalled squad depth

This was a powerful Saracens display on the big stage, and given how blunt Leinster were made to look as they tried everything to breach their opponents' defence, you were left wondering which other club in Europe could fare any better.

Saracens had of course suffered a triple blow having lost both props and conceded the opening try with Maro Itoje sent to the sin-bin after the half-hour mark - but Saracens director of rugby Mark McCall admits the reaction from his players even surpassed his expectations.

Saracens' squad depth suggests their dominance may last for some time

"I thought we went to a level in that second half, against a high-class team, that we haven't been at," he said.

Richard Barrington and Vincent Koch came in for the injured Titi Lamositele and Mako Vunipola to underline the squad depth and Saracens' disposal.

More than 40 players have represented them in the Heineken Champions Cup this season, and they can afford to allow many of their key men a week off against Worcester this weekend ahead of a home Premiership semi-final.

Vunipola returning to his best

Billy Vunipola poses with the European Champions Cup trophy on Saturday

Brad Barritt was officially named man of the match by the sponsors at St James' Park, but Billy Vunipola was the name on most people's lips as Saracens fans streamed back into town.

His performance in the semi-final against Munster suggested he was closing in on his best, and for England the hope is that he will peak at just the right time.

Leinster had started well and deserved their 10-point lead but having made 184 tackles and only conceded six penalties along the way, it was their decision-making that ultimately cost them.

Luke McGrath is tackled in Leinster's Champions Cup final defeat to Saracens

Luke McGrath was perhaps the most culpable when he failed to find touch on the stroke of half-time having major repercussions, while Garry Ringrose failed to see a clear overlap in the 47th minute.

Saracens were clinical, the Irish province's drive for five derailed by a ruthless streak, but Cullen will call on his players to take on board the lessons from missing out a fifth star to come back stronger.

Cullen laments genetics

While McGrath's decision not to end the first half with Leinster leading 10-3 proved costly, it may have perhaps gone unnoticed that Saracens gained zero points from their first five trips to their opponent's 22. So it was far more than just one side being profligate that led to Saracens' eventual 10-point victory.

Leinster had possession of the ball for 23 minutes and 31 seconds, over four minutes more than their opponents, but they were continually faced with a brick wall.

Leo Cullen believes small errors cost his side against Saracens on Saturday

Cullen added afterwards: "You see the size of Billy Vunipola, Maro Itoje and Will Skelton and we don't have access to too many players of that stature and they certainly did wear us down.

"You have seen it a number of times where Saracens grind teams down and it takes a toll on your squad and Saracens were the best team on the day.

"You know, it's genetics really, you can really only do so much about it."

Defensive masterclass holds key

Saracens' defence virtually won them the game, with only three Leinster players - Jack Conan (23), James Ryan (19) and Johnny Sexton (16) - making more than 15 tackles, compared with seven in a red shirt.

Remarkably, Mark McCall's side completed 207 tackles on Saturday - 12 more than they were forced to make during the semi-final against Munster and quarter-final against Glasgow Warriors combined.

Liam Williams was deserving of high praise for his try-saving tackle

Captain Brad Barritt led the way with 28 on his own, but there were two outstanding contributions that altered the destiny of the trophy.

Liam Williams' tackle on Garry Ringrose just as Leinster sought to reassert themselves saved a definite try, while George Kruis' hit on Johnny Sexton at 0-10 led to the penalty from which Owen Farrell got Saracens on the board.